Pattern of dietary carbohydrate intake among urbanized adult Nigerians

Abstract

As the nutrition transition continues in Africa, it is crucial to identify population-specific dietary patterns. Healthy diets may then be promoted for prevention and alleviation of the chronic disease burden associated with nutrition. Using a semi-quantitate food frequency questionnaire, we conducted a cross-sectional study and computed the proportions of foods commonly consumed, and collected data on anthropometric characteristics. The median total energy intake per day from these carbohydrate sources was 1034 kcal (interquartile range (IOR) 621.5–1738.6 kcal). The main carbohydrate food eaten was rice (48.6%) followed by fufu (30.5%) and bread (13.1%). The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 63%, and 73% of the women in the study were either overweight or obese compared to 56% of men. Our study showed that parboiled long grain white rice is now the most commonly consumed carbohydrate by urbanized Nigerians. Other traditional carbohydrate foods are still consumed frequently and remain quite popular.

Keywords::

• dietary intake
• food frequency
• obesity
• fufu

Acknowledgements

Ellen Hertzmark, Epidemiology Department Harvard School of Public Health, Boston MA. Global Nutrition and Epidemiologic Transition (GNET) Group.

Declaration of interest : The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper. This project was supported by the Department of Nutrition, Harvard School of Public Health and Training Research Program (TRAPING) Grant Number D43TW009106, from the Fogarty International Center.